Jamie Hewlett says ‘2016 is going to be Gorillaz all year’

Animator confirms his project with Damon Albarn will return in the new year

Jamie Hewlett has elaborated on his and Damon Albarn’s plans to revive their Gorillaz project in the new year.

As reported yesterday (October 12), Hewlett confirmed that he and Damon Albarn are working on the group’s next album, with the release scheduled for 2016.

Speaking to NME, Hewlett also confirmed that his focus for 2016 will be Gorillaz and that the music he has heard so far is “great”. He also added that it is “too early” to know about guest stars but live shows will definitely happen.

Musicians who have collaborated with Gorillaz in the past include Snoop Dogg, De La Soul, Lou Reed, Shaun Ryder and Mark E Smith.

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“We’re doing Gorillaz next year,” Hewlett said. “Damon has started making some music around all his other projects. I’m working on it at the moment and 2016 is going to be Gorillaz all year.” Fans could even hear new music before the end of the year. “He’s quite prolific, Damon – I don’t think it will be long!”

Visually, things will be different for the animated band. “It’s going to change – I can’t tell you how,” Hewlett hinted. “But of course it’s going to be different, I can’t do what I’ve already done, that’s not interesting to me. In the same way Damon changes with his music and moves forward, I do the same. It’s going to be a different look.”

Hewlett recently announced his first-ever art exhibition. ‘The Suggestionists’ will take place at The Saatchi Gallery, London from November 18-December 2. It will be the first time the artist and designer has exhibited his work.